Irfan Pathan Launches Astonishing Attack Against Yusuf Pathan's Critics
Former India allrounder Irfan Pathan has leapt in defence of his elder brother Yusuf Pathan. The Sunrisers Hyderabad star is facing the heat this season for not delivering on the expected lines. One of the greatest finishers in the history of IPL, Yusuf has looked terribly out of touch in recent times. Unsurprisingly, he has not been a regular in Sunrisers’ playing eleven this season. However, Irfan lashed out at the critics as he pointed out the factors that have affected Yusuf’s stats this season.
Yusuf, who scored 260 runs last year and helped Sunrisers make it to the final, has played 9 out of 12 games this year. Out of those nine games, he has batted in just seven while remaining not out in five of them. Yusuf has faced only 41 deliveries this season as Irfan pointed out his elder brother has not got enough opportunities this year. Irfan, who is plying his trade as a commentator this year, also reminded the critics about the 16 Man of the Match awards won by Yusuf.
Irfan took to Twitter to express his anger as he wrote:
“9 matches, 5 not outs, didn’t bat twice. Faced a total of just 41 balls this IPL. So ppl who talk abt his performance don’t forget this stat. He is the only match winner to bat so down in the order and win 16 man of the matches @iamyusufpathan”
9 matches, 5 not outs, didn't bat twice. Faced a total of just 41 balls this IPL. So ppl who talk abt his performance don't forget this stat.
He is the only match winner to bat so down in the order and win 16 man of the matches @iamyusufpathan— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 27, 2019
Sunrisers Hyderabad lose again:
Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, suffered another defeat on Saturday, this time against Rajasthan Royals. They must have felt the absence of Yusuf Pathan as the middle-order failed to deliver again.
Asked to bat first, the Sunrisers finished on 160 for 8. After losing Kane Williamson cheaply, David Warner and Manish Pandey had put Sunrisers in a commanding position.
At the end of the 12th over, the Sunrisers were 102 for 1. However, the game turned on its head when Oshane Thomas dismissed Warner on the first ball of the 13th over. The Sunrisers kept losing wickets at regular intervals as they managed just 58 runs in the last eight overs while losing 7 wickets.
That's that from Jaipur as the @rajasthanroyals register a victory by 7 wickets with 5 deliveries to spare.#RRvSRH pic.twitter.com/uL7TPNrd4K
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 27, 2019
In reply, the Royals were off to a solid start. Ajinkya Rahane and Liam Livingstone added 78 runs in 54 balls for the first wicket before the latter departed. Rahane departed soon too. But before the Sunrisers could make further inroads in the game, Steve Smith and Sanju Samson all but sealed the win with a 50-run stand. Samson and Turner then took the Royals over the line with five balls remaining.
